jammer2

@Bertmega I'd be shocked (but pleasantly surprised) if Ceci slipped to #20. I have him coming in at around 9-13.

@hf101 Valid point 101, the Rangers had great success pounding that kid every time he touched the puck in that series. I know he's young, but he really has to work on responding to physical play from forechecking opponents. Some time in the gym and a grittier attitude would do him wonders....but he does strike me as a skinny Euro type. Reminds me a bit of Borje Samling...but more dynamic than Borje ever was. Borje saw the ice a bit better, but the skating and shot...they are pretty close. Borje was a lot more physical.

@killjoysfly I'm shocked he got under 7 million. I know it was one year, but 78 points from a 22 year old d-man? Wow, that is damn impressive. Even more impressive, a full 25 points against his nearest compitition. Who knows how many pts this kid is capable of producing. Ottawa got a damn good deal here. Market value wise, I'd say Karlsson gave them a *bit* of a hometown discount.

I must say, this is the most fun I've ever had pondering the off season acquisitons. Just a great group of guys and NO trolls to interject their nonsense into every thread. Again, thanks digs, for providing this awesome site and making the visits so enjoyable. I'll get around to mailing out that cheque, this place is worthy of supporting....hopefully we can make it so there is no out of pocket money going to keep this place up and running.

@doom88 I think it would take an additional top up for the Flyers to make this deal happen. Fact is, Bobby already has 4 30 goals seasons under his belt, did it from his rookie year (in 64 games to boot) with 31 and has a 3 more season over 30 to his credit. He has a 70 point season on his resume also. Much more proven guy than JVR, who has a boatload of potential, but that's it...so his trade value is not even with Ryan. Bobby has already reached the plateau that JVR is striving to reach. It might take the Flyers #20 overall to even up this deal, or a package of second and or 3rd rounder with a roster player thrown in as well, a Welly, Harry Z or someone of that nature.

@mojo1917 Got to see Garrision a few times last year. Was scouting him for a possible fantasy hockey trade with Ruxpin. Really, really nice instincts at the point, better than average at holding the puck in at the line, absolutley booming cannon of a shot, lethal and accurate. Tons of offensive upside. Is respectable at defense, but his real stand out skill is his shot. It would be nice to have that cannon in the O&B.

@ you know, after spending a few minutes with that article, I'm leaning closer to believing you guys, perhaps Carle is the best all round bang for your buck out there. Let's just hope his defensive blunders lessen and he has a great year. Was suprpised to see that guy say Carle is better offensively than Suter...I'd have to disagree with that assertion, but other than that...well written piece.

@ Really nice breakdown of the current UFA d-men crop.....this is pretty cool. http://hockeyanalysis.com/2012/06/11/2012-nhl-free-agent-defensemen/

I"m not sure Andrew Engelage is signed by the Leafs next year, but I'd love for the Flyers to invite him to camp if he's not signed. Here we have a 6'5 208 pound goalie who won the Memorial Cup twice. 4 time OHL player of the week, 1 time AHL player of the week....he does have flaws but damn, this guy is solid with a good defense in front of him. What a great depth move this would be.

@ I'm hoping a 4 million offer can be dangled in front of a present UFA and make our team tougher, harder to play against and replace his offense. I'm gonna have to check and see if such a UFA, with those skill sets is even out there. After Suter I think it thins out quite a bit...saw a chart on CBC where Carle was ranked second for defensive UFA's so that about says it all about the current crop of guys avilable.

Nice to see a star like Temmu come back for one more kick at the bucket. Interesting enough, if Selanne gets 30 goals next season (entirely possible when looking at last years stats and recent history), he will move from 12th all time in goals into the top 10 and possibley the 7th spot. He could pass such legends as Lucky Luc Robitlle, Mario Lemieux, Steve Yserman and Mark Messier....very, very heady company. He's already considered one of the very top scorers of all time, to pass such greats would be an amazing accomplishment..... OK, my cut and paste function is not working (how the hell does that happen?!) can somebody cut and paste the all time goal scoring leaders for the regualr season...wikipedia....geez.....this sucks...lol.

@926 This is one of the coolest things I've heard in a while. I don't really care for Rob's first and foremost genre horror, but even in those deadbeat plots you could see his artistic side showing through....and he actually found new ways to deflie the human body....lol. Like his music though, hope he does the soundtrack with some orginal stuff thrown in.

@Mad Dog Honestly MD, I've thought a lot about why a player would choose to go UFA. The first and obvious is money, the playing careers are shorter than ever and some of these guys would be useless to socieity if not lacing up skates, so the money crunch to supply not only yourself, but your family, your immediate family and maybe even entourage/friends if you are making some bad decisons on who you choose to spend your time away from hockey with. Some guys are really comfortable in their own skin and exude the confidence needed to pick up and start fresh in a new city. I'm sure thousands of players have re-signed from fear of the unknown....and lack the self belief to pull off such a daring move. Simply put, some people don't like change, fight against it, and settle for a less than stellar present day situaltion rather than explore the unknown of the a strange organization or city. I'm sure the wife and kids play a huge role, is a youngster at a crucial point in their education process (ie one year away from graduation) where a move could be damaging career wise or their formation as young adults.....lot's of stuff to consider.

@Polaris922 I'm sorry but you obviously don't watch a lot of Flyer hockey, to call the Carle signing a must....well,....that's not even close to true. Actually, Carle is the last guy I'd want on the ice late in the game protecting a lead, if he does not mess up, he will give me a heart attack and almost mess up. If you like scrambly, stick driven defense instead of knock him off the puck like a man...then Calre is your guy. If he's so good then Carle for Stall might not be far off....lol.

@Irishjim This is some good solid research Jim, kudos. Players like Kessel and Lauridsen should be discussed, if Bourdon is used as trade bait (ugggh!) these guys would be next on the list after Guster. I'm really impressed with how quick Oliver picked up the English language. Even if he didn't use "acclimation" in the pefect context...you don't see a young kid just learning the language using those types of words.

@Podein25Hey, I had a link...it's not my fault...LOL! Anyways, I can see the Wings and all their cap space scooping up Jagr and forming an all Euro line of Zetterberg, Dats adn Jagr. That would be a perfect fit for the Wings, a one year stop gap measure until the better crop of forward UFA's come out next season. They could actually afford to snag Praise, Suter AND Jagr...scary stuff!

I guess that leaves Bourdon with the 7th spot, but mark my words, Homer will acquire another veteran defenseman to squeeze out the youngster....it's guaranteed. I understand why he does it, you have to anticiapte injuries so you don't get caught with your pants down...but it does frustrate me. The old saying applies, you can never have enough experienced defensemen. I just really like what Bourdon brings to the table, and for him to grow and mature as a player, it should be at the NHL level. He's reached that point I believe.

I think you would have to overpay to move up into the top 5. This is not really the draft to be pulling off such a move IMHO....the cost would outweigh any player you could snag up at 4 or 5. It seems to me this draft is Yakupov and the rest....the 2 to 12 guys are not crap, but not elite either. I'd rather stand pat and let the chips fall where they may. Maybe move up one of two spots (that would cost a 3rd rounder alone) in the first if you really like a kid and think he will get snagged up. To move into a 4-5 slot you are giving up next years first rounder at a minimum...to expensive for my blood.

@murraycraven Are you the same MurrrayCraven from Philly.com? have not seen you around here, either way WELCOME!

This makes sense. Like others have said, the money is needed elsewhere, we need upgrades on defense and back up tender. Of course, this is the same site that gave the initial info for my "Report : Jagr to sign" thread so I'm taking it with a grain of salt....although this story has an actual quote from Jagr. This gives me a bit more faith in Homer. I believe it's time to let the kids (who have proven themselves as legit NHLer's) move up the lines and let nature take it's course. Lord knows, we will have no spots for D-men or Goalies who have a great camp....it's refreshing to not see them load up with 12 forwards with no room for kids to break in....at least we will have that to some extent at forward. This solidifies a roster spot for Harry Z or Rinaldo (at least on paper, for the short term future as it were) and I like what these guys bring. I'm a big fan of Harry Z, wanna see what he can do with a full time role, I believe we have a real diamond in the rough with Harry. It's just really frustrating for me when every concievable roster spot is spoken for. I realize they must fill most of the roster before hand, if all the good players are taken you're s**t out of luck....but damn, let there be at least one roster spot up for grabs...lol. For instance, I can guarantee if Bourdon has an outstanding camp next fall, he wil still be sent down, signs of the times I guess. Edit, and yes, I realize Read impressed and made the team out of camp, but that is the exception, not the rule....defense and goalies...they don't have a legit shot.

@idahophilly I understand what you're saying Idaho...really, I do. Here is my problem....I don't think the Flyers defense is good enough to win the cup as it stands right now. With Bryz in the picture, we need our d to be outstanding, not just above average (which it was not in the playoffs). We badly need a replacement for Pronger. Weber is the next best thing. This makes sense from my perspective. A lot to give up, cap hit extroidinarie...but it gives us a nice 5-6 year realistic window to get the job done.

@doom88 Welly has better hands than what we have seen thus far. He's really good at roofing it from in close. Think it's just a matter of getting more comfortable. He's gonna get a boatload of break aways this year. Not saying he will be a scoring star, but he will chip in with adequate offense....it will come.

@Phillygrump Exactly Grumpster, just because we have made previously stupid long term deals, should not preclude us from acquiring a cornerstone piece. The market demands guys like Weber get big time money for a long term for a reason.....they can alter the course of your season. Wow would it be fun to watch this guy bashing heads in the O&B. We deserve this type of mayhem...LOL! The other thing...I believe Welly and Harry Z can step up big time. Wellwood would have scored 16 goals last year if you project his numbers over an 82 game season. All things you have to factor in.

@Phillygrump When discussing a possible Weber trade, you have to really examine his worth in regards to the rest of the league. FIrst team pp, booming shot, avid shot blocker, tough as nails, clears the front of the net better than anyone else except maybe Chara, can hurt opposing forwards with legal checks, does work on the pk, beautiful first pass, intimidation factor, he instantly makes everyone else on the ice a foot bigger....he is perhaps the most rounded d-man in the league. The packages other GM's put forward will have lots of present day NHLers, lots of picks and prospects. It's a case where you really have to give to get. Personally, I think Bourdon is our best defensive prospect. One of the intreguing factors in acquiring Weber is to have him act as a mentor to Bourdon. Realizing it will take a boat load to get Weber, I'm ok with the deal, it leaves our future center ice stars Schenn and Couturier alone....but I want Bourdon taken out...that tips the scales in their favour. With Weber, we upgrade the part of our team that Bryz needs to be a sucessful goaie. A stud like Weber makes Bryz 10% better right off the bat.

@Polaris922 Funny, cause Johnson was one of the better back-ups in the leauge up till last year. Very dependable honest effort kinda guy from what I saw. I don't think anyone could have foreseen his fall from grace being so complete. I do remember Johnson almost stealing the job when Fleury really sucked in Oct/Nov. Not that it every would have been permanent, but there was a short time where Johnson was the go to guy in net due to Fleury looking totally lost. Vokoun is a solid signing....he will help out a lot. Wow, could have sworn Scuderi won the Cup in Pittsburgh...must have popped that brain cell...lol.